andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach if time will be given by the Government for a discussion in the Dáil of the contents of the Supplementary White Paper on the EEC and Ireland's proposed membership of it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Economic Community.
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It is not proposed to provide time for a discussion during the present Dáil Session.
I presume we will be permitted to discuss the matter on the Taoiseach's Estimate?
Certainly.
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andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach whether a decision affecting any aspect of national domestic policy taken by a signatory to the Rome Treaty may be superseded and reversed by a subsequent decision taken by any controlling body of the EEC.
It is obviously a fundamental condition of membership of the European Economic Community that the economic and social policies applied in all the member States of the Community should be consonant with the provisions of the Rome Treaty and with any implementing regulations, directives and decisions issued thereunder.
Articles 169 and 170 of the Treaty define the procedures appropriate to the circumstances in which a member State is considered to have failed to fulfil any of its obligations under the Treaty.
Is it not a fact that a decision taken by a national Parliament could be reversed by a decision taken by the supra-national authority?
I suggest that if the Deputy would study these two Articles of the Treaty of Rome, he would get a better idea of the procedure to be followed when a member State is held to be in breach of any of its obligations under the Treaty.
Has the Taoiseach yet decided whether, if we do accept this position, it would require a referendum in order to allow the Dáil to be overridden?
That is a separate question.
Has the Taoiseach not given it any consideration?
I have already indicated in reply to earlier questions that it is possible some constitutional amendments will arise out of the provisions of the Rome Treaty relating to the court established under it. It seems now that only in that respect may an amendment be required. I cannot say definitely that it will be necessary.
Has the Taoiseach given any consideration to the question of whether he proposes to have a referendum before we go into the Common Market or after?
I have already made it quite clear that this is a parliamentary democracy and we will proceed in accordance with the Constitution.